CRC light rail sales tax vote: Russian Roulette for Battle Ground?

Before I dive into the thesis of my argument, I must first state that this is the second opinion piece that I have put forth in regards to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project.  My last editorial, which was published by the Columbian newspaper, (and posted to this blog) was back on March 11th, 2009 (you can read it by viewing my past posts on this blog).  With that said, we have a very busy election year (2012) ahead and Clark County's public transit agency, C-Tran, will be faced with a critical choice in regards to a public vote on light rail maintenance dollars.  Each C-Tran board member must carry the voice of their duly elected city council jurisdictions and therefore a voice of the people who elected those officials.  For example, Battle Ground council member, Bill Ganley, not only represents the voice of Battle Ground city council but he also represents the town of Yacolt and their duly elected officials.  Other jurisdictions in Clark County have similar representation (see http://www.c-tran.com/meet_the_board.html to view their board composition).
      The decision before them is very clear; should the county as a whole vote on raising sales taxes to pay for light rail maintenance located in downtown Vancouver?  Or should the vote encompass the area in which light rail will operate; the city of Vancouver.  A clear decision, perhaps. An easy and uncontroversial choice for the C-Tran board to make?  Regardless of which side individuals take, elected officials should consider the effects (positive or negative) that such a vote will have on their constituents and the jurisdictions they represent; not their own political interests.  As an elected official in the city of Battle Ground Washington, my focus is on my constituents and protecting their interest first; plain and simple.  If a county wide vote on light rail is instituted this November and it passes, Battle Ground citizens (including myself) will be forced to pay for light rail located in Vancouver whether we like it or not.  However, if a "Vancouver city only" vote is carried out and Vancouver residents pass it, they will pay for the tax (not Battle Ground residents) on light rail located in their own city.  It is quite clear to me which direction I will be advocating for. 
      I must now address a few of the arguments that I have heard in regards to this line of thinking.  There are those who say that my constituents will eventually pay the sales tax even if a "Vancouver city only" vote is adopted because anyone who shops or dines in Vancouver will ultimately pay; this argument is flawed due to several points.  First, my constituents are very smart and savvy; if they do not want to support light rail in Vancouver they can and will make intelligent choices on how and where they spend their dollars. Secondly, Battle Ground has a growing portfolio of shopping and dining opportunities.  Thirdly, (and perhaps least important) anyone who travels around the country or in our own state understands that they may pay a fee or tax to a jurisdiction that they visit in which they never had a vote on. 
      In conclusion, it is my opinion that it would be irresponsible to play "Russian Roulette" with my constituents hard-earned money.  Given the outcome of the last C-Tran vote for normal bus operations (Proposition 1, last November 2011), Battle Ground and Yacolt were the only two jurisdictions in Clark County which citizens voted to not increase the sales tax.  However, since every other jurisdiction in Clark County voted in favor of the increase, it passed and Battle Ground voters will pay (as a full disclosure note, I supported this particular vote due to the potential cuts to the elderly and developmental disabled population who depend on C-Tran).  Therefore, it is very conceivable that this could and will happen again should a county wide vote occur.  In my mind, it is easy to say that we should let the people of the county vote however, if it passes what will these same voices tell my constituents when they have to pay for light rail in downtown Vancouver?   How will they ease their financial pain?  If Vancouver wants light rail, then they should vote on it and pay for it on their own accord.  As for my constituents in Battle Ground, they neither want light rail nor wish to directly pay for it.  Therefore, a "Vancouver only" vote is the personal opinion of Adrian E. Cortes*.

*Councilman w/ the City of Battle Ground, Wa, opinions expressed are Adrian's they do not reflect the City Council of Battle Ground.